A HEADTEACHER has called for a “common sense” approach to toilets being used in lesson time after parents criticised schools for locking their loos.

Last week it was revealed how Mayflower High School, in Billericay, sent a letter to parents stating that toilets would be locked during lesson time.

Shoebury High School previously revealed it had locked toilets “to tackle bad behaviour”.
It has sparked a school toilet debate across south Essex.

Maggie Atkinson, former children’s commissioner for England, has now intervened, insisting it is a “human right” to be able to use a toilet and locking loos took “dignity” away from students.

Jason Carey, headteacher at Southend High School for Girls, called for schools to use common sense and to adapt timetables to allow children to use toilets.

At his grammar school, the toilets are not locked but students are discouraged from going to the loo in lessons.

He said: “At Southend High School for Girls, we ensure that students have plenty of time throughout the day to go to the toilet.

“Firstly, there is a five-minute movement time factored into lesson changeover.

“This is in addition to the full, 60-minute lesson so they can go to the toilet and not be late for lessons.

“Secondly, the structure of the day includes a full hour for lunchtime. Moreover, there is only one lesson in between break and lunch, which also helps.

“Toilets are not locked, and we discourage students from leaving lessons to go to the toilet, as they do have plenty of opportunity, as described above.

“However, we do appreciate that there are times when a student has to use the toilet.

“Younger year groups have their own, designated toilets areas. It is a straightforward, common sense approach.”

One mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted us to say her daughter is coming home from school with tummy pain as a result of not going to the toilet.

The young girl goes to a school in south Essex school which recently changed to locking the toilet doors during lesson, and her mum believes it is “completely unacceptable”.

She said: “I have raised my concerns to the school a number of times but have not received a reply.

“My daughter is unable to use the toilets as they are locked and is now coming out of school with tummy pains as she is holding herself.

“I am worried this is going to start having an effect on her health, especially at certain times of the month when a toilet is absolutely necessary.

“A child should be able to attend school knowing there will be a toilet to use when needed.

“I think it is completely unacceptable that this is not the case at the moment.”

A number of south Essex schools were contacted by the Echo for a comment on their toilet policy; however, the majority did not respond.

Speaking to BBC Essex, Mrs Atkinson said: “Human rights include the right to be dignified.

“Schools who say it is a matter of discipline, actually need to give their heads a wobble, it is a matter of power and control.

“Sort yourselves out, and make sure your loos are open. If you need to patrol them, do it, but please if you are going to grow children, who are going to be leaders and citizens of the future, then they have to understand that their dignity is important.

“This is a scandal. It isn’t just a school choice, it is a scandal, and it needs to stop.”